Whether you’re cleaning your carpets on your own or have decided to hire a professional carpet cleaning service, you’ll likely want to know if the products used are safe. After all, carpets tend to be in places where we spend a lot of our leisure time, and children and pets likely spend a lot of time playing directly on the carpet as well.

Here are some things to consider when evaluating the safety of carpet cleaning products:

  • Does the Product Contain Dangerous Chemicals?

Since carpet cleaning products are sold over the counter at most major retailers and hardware shops, surely they don’t contain any harmful chemicals? That’s not always the case. Bleach and drain cleaning products, for example, are potentially lethal if used improperly, so it always pays to ensure that you’re using the product as directed.

In terms of chemicals, most carpet cleaning products are generally safe. By safe, that means that they don’t pose a serious health hazard after they’ve been applied. The following chemicals should be avoided:

  • Perchloroethylene: this popular cleaning chemical may lead to nausea and dizziness if inhaled. It may also cause liver and kidney damage. Always use as directed, but avoid it and opt for a product without perchloroethylene if possible.
  • Naphthalene: this derivative product is created from coal tar and is particularly efficient at removing dirt and grime as well as being used as a pesticide. Exposure to this chemical may cause nausea, nervous system damage, vomiting, and liver damage.
  • Butyloxy ethanol: breathing in or coming into contact with this chemical can lead to nerve, liver, and kidney damage.

It should be noted that these chemicals appear in trace amounts when they are used and may thus not pose a serious threat. Still, for those looking for safer alternatives, there are many that are available that do not use these chemicals.

  • Does the Product Dry Quickly?

Commercial products that require soaking the carpet and scrubbing need to be able to dry quickly in order to prevent moisture and water from remaining in the carpet for too long. No matter how good the product is, if it takes days to dry, mould and mildew will have ample opportunity to set in, creating more problems than from the outset. Look for products that are capable of drying in a matter of hours rather than days.

  • Enquire About Green Options

All-natural cleaning products are now widely available and often cost negligibly more than traditional, chemical-based cleaning products. Often, these non-toxic cleaning materials provide just the same (sometimes, even better) results, removing dirt and dust efficiently as they’re applied. Better yet, they won’t cause any harm to you or your family (including pets).

  • Ask Your Carpet Cleaning Provider

Any reputable carpet cleaning service should be able to tell you which products they use. Transparency between carpet cleaners and their clients allows them to build trust with one another and to understand the needs of everyone involved. Quite often, professional cleaners use products that come from distributors and use compounds that may be unfamiliar to you. Regardless, ask if their products contain the above toxic chemicals, and if so, in what quantities? Do they provide “green” cleaning services? What is the company’s reputation? All of these questions will help you feel more comfortable hiring a professional carpet cleaner.

Contact Electrovac Today

Water damage wreaks havoc on carpets, and only the most rigorous replacement and cleaning solutions will be able to salvage a water damaged carpet. Trust the experts at Electrovac if your carpet has sustained water damage.